The top US envoy in Hong Kong said yesterday Washington would not support any political parties or give any prescription on reform when it came to the city's democratic development.

Clifford Hart's cautious approach in his maiden public speech came a month after Foreign Ministry Commissioner Song Zhe warned him to stay out of the city's affairs.

Speaking at a lunch hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, the US consul general said Washington supported Hong Kong's progress towards genuine universal suffrage, but it had "no prescription".

"The United States will always stand for our core democratic values," Hart said.

He said soon after his arrival on July 30 that he was looking forward to Hongkongers' move towards "genuine democratic suffrage". He has also met various political parties in the past two months.

"The United States does not take a position for or against any particular formulation on how genuine universal suffrage is achieved," Hart said yesterday.

"We will always advocate the fundamental principles that underlie every successful democracy - open dialogue and debate, the rule of law, free and fair elections, and choice among candidates."

Asked about the Occupy Central democracy movement, Hart said the US "does not support" any political groups or movement.

Asked by a chamber member about his reaction to the criticism provoked by his earlier comments, Hart said he would be satisfied if the attention over the past two months could be maintained during the rest of his tenure. "I feel I am received quite warmly. I have no complaints," he said.

Hart refused to talk about the controversy over US whistle-blower Edward Snowden, which his predecessor Stephen Young said had damaged trust between the US and Hong Kong. Hart said he stood by Young's statement.

Civic Party lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-wah said he hoped the US and Britain would adopt "quiet diplomacy" or it might deepen misunderstandings between Beijing and pan-democrats in Hong Kong.

"I just hope they can help facilitate mutual trust in the political reform process," he said.

Separately, Wang Guangya , director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, told the city's political appointees that the debate on constitutional reform must stay rational and stick to the law. Top mainland officials have said the "public nomination" of chief executive candidates would violate the Basic Law.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, who joined Wang and 16 undersecretaries and political assistants at a closed-door meeting in Beijing yesterday, said the government would not make a quick decision.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as U.S. will keep its nose out of poll, says envoy

I find it hilarious that these CCP talking heads reference the Basic Law like it's some inviolable law of physics or nature. It's a man-made law, dudes. And when constituents feel that a man-made law no longer serves their purposes, constituents can move to change them. Oh, but wait, that's what happens in a democracy...which of course the CCP's PRC and HK are not.
It's further ironic that the CCP is so adamant about not violating Baisc Law, when there are all sorts of other laws that she violates with impunity and regularity.I think Mr. Hart said it well. The US supports the principle of universal suffrage, and takes no position on how HK people choose to implement it for themselves. Can't ask for more neutrality than that.

ianson Sep 24th 201310:39pm

Let's see what pathetic whimpery comes down from the Beijing Thought Police again. The US has its opinion and there's no earthly reason why it should not express it as it pleases.

carmeledwin Sep 24th 20139:05pm

Typical of the United States (a consul general represents the country) to try and interfere in business which is none of theirs. Hong Kong is not part of the United States, nor is it a sovereign country, and this behaviour of him is not acceptable. Mind you to the United States Government interfering in other country's internal affairs is something they love doing. Problem is they always make a mess and leave behind a mess as well.

Camel Sep 25th 20137:26am

Seems some people and country try to profile themselve again (after a few bad images of themselve lately) and in the same time stirring some trouble in societies to serve "their interests". That's how it works always for the USA.
Still arrogant, still putting it's nose into matters that's none of their business and they still think that their merely 200 years old country serves as an example for the world.

Yes, all for expressing an opinion if you are not representing a country. Would you say the same if the ambassador of China to the US starts to "express" his view on how the US government should run the US?

Indeed, i do not think USA is more democratic than HK. Can Mr Clifford Hart realize the fact that the USA people are not really granted the right of freedom. As we know, even civil communication is under scrutinized by the US government. Definitely, US is a fake democratic conutry. Furthermore, genuine universal suffrage is not implemented in US. All the candidates of US president are only come from two political parties. Moreover, the candidate are not selected by civil nomination. The socalled democratic US pretend itself as the most democratic country in the world.